Justyna Zagorska-Diaz

The town hall meeting focused on the future of the Mountainside community pool, detailing its current aging infrastructure and safety concerns. Three options were discussed: continuing with as-needed repairs, performing a major rehabilitation of the existing structure, or constructing two new pools including a lap pool and a leisure activity pool. The discussion covered the estimated project costs, potential financial impact on residents, and a proposed timeline for design, procurement, and construction. The council emphasized gathering community feedback before making a final decision on which path to pursue.

The town meeting focused on presenting the current infrastructure condition of the 60-year-old community pool, specifically addressing significant water loss, uneven decking, and the deterioration of cast iron piping. The recreation director provided a walkthrough to visually demonstrate these issues and explained the limitations of the existing gravity-fed filtration system. Discussion included potential future renovation plans, such as dividing the facility into separate pools to enhance maintenance and activity options, with a follow-up meeting scheduled to address costs and specific project details.

The Planning Board memorialized a resolution denying a variance for a property on Sheffield Street. Additionally, the Board heard and approved an application for a variance at 237 Sheffield Street regarding an outdoor storage area. The Board also reviewed an application for a mixed-use recreation and office building at 1128 Spruce Drive, which involved testimony regarding building footprint, parking, and zoning variances; this matter was adjourned to a future meeting to allow for further clarification on wetlands issues.

The Mayor and Council held a meeting to address various municipal matters, including the proclamation of Mental Health Awareness Month and the approval of the municipal budget. The Council passed several ordinances, including one to establish a cap bank, a bond ordinance for various public improvements and equipment acquisition, and an ordinance to appropriate funds for public works equipment. Additionally, the Council enacted zoning amendments related to affordable housing obligations. Resolutions were passed to certify compliance with EEOC guidance, authorize estimated tax bills, apply for road improvement grants, appoint temporary seasonal staff for the recreation department, fill various municipal personnel vacancies, settle a tax appeal, and adopt a cash management plan. The Council also approved the use of state and cooperative purchasing contracts for 2026 and appointed new Emergency Management personnel.

The meeting included discussions on year-end budget transfers, the cancellation of minor tax account balances, department appointments, and recreation department refunds. Additionally, the Governing Body addressed the appointment of new volunteer firefighters, road opening permit requests from the Elizabethtown Gas Company, the Union County Road Surfacing Program, a raffle application for Our Lady of Lourdes Church, bid recommendations for a television inspection of sanitary sewers, tax overpayment refunds, and the adoption of the Union County Multi-Jurisdictional Mitigation Plan. The session concluded with the approval of bills and claims and an executive session regarding litigation and personnel matters.